Patents Issued in July 12, 2005
  • Patent number: 6915559
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an active element for use with a magnetic head includes depositing a magnetic material to form a magnetic member, and nitriding the magnetic member after the depositing step. Preferably, the depositing step comprises depositing nickel-iron alloy, and the nitriding step comprises plasma nitriding the magnetic member. Advantageously, plasma nitriding may be performed at a temperature below 300 degrees Celsius to avoid adverse effects to components of the active element, such as organic planars. Active elements manufactured according to the method of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford C. Schwartz, Steven C. Herrera
  • Patent number: 6915560
    Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a medical device is formed of at least three coupled movable blades which are disposed about a reference circle to form an aperture whose size may be varied. The aperture capable of being sized to contain a medical device. Each blade is in communication with an actuation device which is capable of moving the blade to alter the size of the aperture. Each blade includes a single radial point which a) lies on the circumference of the reference circle prior to movement of the blade, and b) may be moved only along a radius of the reference circle on movement of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Boston Scientific SciMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Austin
  • Patent number: 6915561
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic component mounting apparatus. In the apparatus, a rotary body for changing the direction of a component mounting section is fixed to a hollow rotary shaft with a flange. The hollow rotary shaft is provided in a hollow motor and rotated integrally with the rotary body by driving of the hollow motor. A wire extending from an electric component, which is provided in the rotary body for changing the direction of the component mounting section, is arranged in the hollow rotary shaft of the hollow motor. An end of the wire is fixed to the rotary body, and the wire is arranged with looseness or into a spiral in the hollow rotary shaft. Further a lateral surface of inside the hollow rotary shaft and a surface of a coupling shaft are coated with protective materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dai Yokoyama, Hideaki Watanabe, Kiyoshi Imai, Toshiyuki Koyama, Taira Ishii
  • Patent number: 6915562
    Abstract: A device for the insertion and extraction of a plug-in module into a module frame which has at least one front module bar, contains a swivel-mounted lever which is located in the front area of the plug-in module and whose short lever arm has at least one lever cam and a push-off nose and a pressure piece which is fastened to the module bar. The pressure piece absorbs the forces transferred from the lever, whereby the pressure piece has at least one recess, in which the lever cam of the lever reaches into during the insertion of the plug-in module. Furthermore the pressure piece has at least one push-off shoulder against which the push-off nose of the lever pushes off during the extraction of the plug-in module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Schroff GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Joist, Volker Haag, Paul Mazura, Klaus-Michael Thalau, Hans-Jorg Weiler
  • Patent number: 6915563
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing attached die having a pivoting means, having a pivot point and first and second sides, the pivot point having a corresponding first y coordinate, the first and second sides positioned opposite to one another, said pivoting means capable of attaching to a die carrier. The apparatus also having a shaft attached to the first side of the pivoting means. The apparatus further having a counterweight attached to the second side of the pivoting means. The apparatus lastly having a clamping means capable of attaching to at least one die, the die having a corresponding second y coordinate, wherein the first y coordinate is greater than the second y coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lannie R. Bolde, Christopher Wayne Whittaker
  • Patent number: 6915564
    Abstract: A method of making a coaxial cable includes forming a conductive tube and setting a settable material therein to define an inner conductor. Forming may include advancing a conductive strip and bending it into a tube having a longitudinal seam. The settable material may be dispensed onto the conductive strip continuously with the forming. Alternately, the settable material may be dispensed onto the conductive strip prior to advancing. The dispensing may use a puller cord as the settable material or carrying some or all of the settable material. The method may further include forming a dielectric layer surrounding the inner conductor, and forming an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Commscope Properties LLC
    Inventor: Scott M. Adams
  • Patent number: 6915565
    Abstract: A method of detecting a position of a rotation axis of a suction nozzle of an electric-component mounting apparatus, the suction nozzle holding, by suction, an electric component, and being rotated about the rotation axis thereof to rotate the electric component held thereby, so that the electric component rotated is mounted on a component-mounting surface of a circuit substrate, the method including the step of detecting, on a position-detecting plane including the component-mounting surface of the circuit substrate, the position of the rotation axis of the suction nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Isogai, Kimihiko Yasuda, Noriaki Iwaki, Hiroshi Katsumi
  • Patent number: 6915566
    Abstract: A method for the fabrication of a double-sided electrical interconnection flexible circuit (200) particularly useful as a substrate for an area array integrated circuit package. A copper matrix with studs (203) is pressed through a dielectric film (201) having a copper layer on the opposite surface, thereby forming an intermediate structure for a flex circuit with self-aligned solid copper vias in a one step process. The contacts are reinforced by plating both surfaces with a layer of copper, and conventional processes are used to complete the circuit patterning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald C. Abbott, John E. Cotugno, Robert M. Fritzsche, Robert A. Sabo, Christopher M. Sullivan, David W. West
  • Patent number: 6915567
    Abstract: An housing of a meter unit is inserted from above into a meter unit support hole which is provided in the rear handle cover. Engagement claws of the housing are engaged with claw receiving portions of the rear handle cover, thereby prevent the housing from coming out. Male connector is provided beforehand in the rear handle cover, and inserting the housing of the meter unit into the meter unit support hole causes the female connector of the housing to be automatically connected to the male connector, thus completing the wiring work of the meter unit. The wiring work on the meter unit supported on the rear handle cover of the motorcycle can therefore be performed easily and reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakao, Yukihiro Hayasaka, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6915568
    Abstract: A streamlined method for the mass production of connecting rods is disclosed, with particular applicability for anticipated in the production of rods made from powdered metal materials. The method contemplates the rough grinding of a work piece, followed by the use of a single, flexibly tooled boring machine to create crank and pin bores. The work piece is then fracture split, subjected to a final grinding process and honed to specific tolerances without the need for final boring. The entire inventive process may be implemented on a five work station assembly line, thereby reducing the capital investment in machinery and space required by previously known methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company LLC
    Inventor: Michael Haehnel
  • Patent number: 6915569
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an anilox roller, in particular for a flexographic printing press, the anilox roller comprising a cylindrical core and a sleeve detachably held on the core and having at its surface an anilox layer with a grid pattern of pits, including the steps of mounting the sleeve on the core, and then forming the anilox layer on the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Fischer & Krecke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Wilfried Kolbe, Klaus Schirrich, Wolfgang Brusdeilins, Bodo Steinmeier
  • Patent number: 6915570
    Abstract: A resin roller (10) is produced by disposing a core body (21) in a forming metal mold (1) having a cylindrical metal mold (13) and core supporting members (14) furnished at both edge parts of the cylindrical metal mold (13) as well as causing the core supporting members (14) to hold the both edge parts, and pouring a forming resin into the metal mold and solidifying it. The resin roller (10) has the core body (21) of the same outer diameter over a full length and a cylindrical resin-formed body (12), sealing members (24, 26) are furnished around the core body (21) in the vicinity of both edge parts of the resin-formed body (12), and the core body is disposed such that the sealing members (24, 26) contact edge faces (14a) at sides of a roller forming space of the core supporting members (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohgoshi, Toshiyuki Komatsu, Koji Sezaki, Hidenari Tsunemi, Kenji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6915571
    Abstract: An automobile assembly system 1 for assembling plural types of automobiles including a type equipped with a slide door and/or a tailgate, comprising: a front door sub-line 7 for assembling front door assemblies; a rear door sub-line 8 for assembling rear door assemblies or slide door assemblies; a tailgate sub-line 9 for assembling tailgate assemblies; and a main line for assembling the front door assembly, the rear door assembly or the slide door assembly and the tailgate assembly with a vehicle body F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Hosono, Kenichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6915572
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of structural members, in which two parallel, flat wire mesh mats comprising longitudinal and transverse wires intersecting with each other and welded together at the points of intersection are advanced on a production line and between the wire mesh mats is introduced an insulating body, whereupon the straight link wires are passed through the insulating body and with their ends welded to the wire mesh mats, so that the latter are held a predetermined distance apart, wherein first an endless, coherent web of insulating material is produced from individual insulating panels and advanced and then the insulating body is cut off this web of insulating material in a selectable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: EVG Entwicklungs-U. Verwertungs-Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Klaus Ritter, Ingrid Ritter, Gerhard Schmidt, Gerhard Ritter
  • Patent number: 6915573
    Abstract: A sectional door (10) and an assembly method for attaching a component (40, 41, 90) to a panel (11) of the sectional door (10) including the steps of fabricating a panel (11) for the sectional door (10), preparing a component (40, 41, 90) for attachment to the panel (11), dispensing a first adhesive (71, 72) on a surface where the panel (11) and the component (40, 41, 90) are to be joined, locating the panel (11) and the component (40, 41, 90) in a predetermined relative attachment position, and dispensing a second adhesive (71, 72) along at least one surface where the panel (11) and the component (40, 41, 90) abut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventor: Willis J. Mullet
  • Patent number: 6915574
    Abstract: A multi-layer seal and washer that provide a seal between a vane stem and a casing in a turbine engine are disclosed. The seal and washer are fabricated from materials such as Teflon fibers and glass fibers and are impregnated with a polyimide resin. The seal and washer are durable and have a low coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Mesing, Wayne R. Bowen, David B. Hester
  • Patent number: 6915575
    Abstract: The cutting tool, in particular nail clippers, comprise two elongated members hinged around an axis (A), wherein each member is provided with an actuating arm and a cutting edge; the cutting edges of the two elongated members face each other so as to reciprocally co-operate for cutting when they are moved towards one another by the action of approach on the actuating arms. The tool also comprises elastic means for biasing the elongated members towards a diverging condition in which the two actuating arms and the two cutting edges are spaced from one another, and retaining means for holding the elongated members in a closed condition, in contrast with the elastic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Vicom S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Cerutti
  • Patent number: 6915576
    Abstract: The illuminated safety razor has a substantially transparent handle and a razor head adapted to hold a razor blade cartridge. A high-intensity LED disposed in the razor head illuminates the area to be shaved. The LED may be molded within the razor head in various orientations dependent upon the contour of the razor head and the desired lighting effect. The handle open at the rear end, is adapted to receive at least one battery. A threaded end cap engages the opening, abutting the battery and contains a micro-pushbutton switch. Depressing a waterproof diaphragm covering the rear of the end cap toggles the switch, supplying a voltage to the LED, thereby illuminating the razor and the area to be shaved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Lisa M. Brzezinski
  • Patent number: 6915577
    Abstract: A utility knife include a handle, a neck pivotally mounted on the handle, and a blade mounted in the neck. The neck can be folded into the handle to transport the utility knife. The blade is slidably removably inserted into and out of the handle without requiring disassembly of the handle. The blade is secured to the neck of the knife by a pivotally mounted arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Scala
  • Patent number: 6915578
    Abstract: A reversible scissors comprising a pair of pivotally connected two edge cutting blade members, operating handles and ring members. Ring members are connected pivotally with and movable along the operating handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventors: Salman Yusufov, Nazim Yusufov
  • Patent number: 6915579
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a punch assembly and methods of using same and, more particularly, to a punch assembly that is capable of accurately and repeatedly measuring an intersecting point at which a hold or indentation can be put in a sheet of material such as, but not by way of limitation, a sheet of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Archie Cofer
  • Patent number: 6915580
    Abstract: A razor handle assembly having a telescoping extension body portion with a loop-handle at one end and a gripping portion at the opposite end, the gripping portion is detachably connected to the handle of a typical shaving razor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Lisa L. Dassel
  • Patent number: 6915581
    Abstract: A novel guide is disclosed for fixing to a cutting tool for cutting a piece of sheet material having a plurality of fiducial lines marked thereon. The guide has a set of alignment marks and a plurality of measurement scales associated with the alignment marks. Each measurement scale corresponds to at least one of the fiducial lines, such that when one of the alignment marks is aligned with a particular fiducial line, the measurement scale corresponding to the particular fiducial line indicates the distance of the blade of the cutting tool from an edge of the sheet material. Particular embodiments of the guide include a flat portion attached to the front of the cutting tool, or alternately, a laser guide rotatably fixed to the front of the cutting tool. Novel methods for cutting a predetermined distance from an edge of a piece of sheet material using the guides of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: David N. Harris
  • Patent number: 6915582
    Abstract: The alignment of two pieces of machinery is achieved so that centerlines of rotating shafts of each piece are in-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: ARINC Incorporated
    Inventor: Geoffrey P. Engels
  • Patent number: 6915583
    Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Karim El-Katcha, William R. Reeve, Robert E. McCracken, Allen Brelsford, Donald W. Zurwelle, Fred S. Watts
  • Patent number: 6915584
    Abstract: The invention concerns a compass having an electro magnetic half-shell transformer energy transmission and opto electronic data transmission. To avoid a slipring connection during the transfer of supply voltage at least one winding on the primary half-shell is connected to a controllable input voltage source via a H-bridge circuit, and at least one secondary winding having taps is provided at the other half-shell coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Marine GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Skerka, Ulf Bey, Werner Bast
  • Patent number: 6915585
    Abstract: A spirit level including first and second profile elements which can be displaced relative to one another in a telescopic manner and fixed relative to one another by means of a fixing element. In order to ensure that the first and second profile elements remain aligned with each other irrespective of their position, the first profile element is a hollow profile consisting of two sections which can be joined by means of the second profile element. The first section is joined to the second profile element and the second section can be moved along the remaining area of the second profile element. When the second profile element is at least partially uncovered by the second section, the second profile element can be subjected to the action of force in the direction of a profile wall of the second section of the first profile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: STABILA Messgerate Gustav Ullrich GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Von Wedemeyer
  • Patent number: 6915586
    Abstract: A box level including an elongate body, plumb vials, and spaced hand-holds having outer edges together defining first and second parallel application planes beyond first and second face planes of the elongate body, and further including hang openings in the elongate body near the opposite ends thereof and hang liners secured in the hang openings, each hang liner having first and second outer rims coplanar with the first and second application planes. The box level provides enlarged work application surfaces in a reliable manner not susceptible to dislodgement from long use and abuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Empire Level Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hickey
  • Patent number: 6915587
    Abstract: A chalk line device includes a housing and a chalk line stored in the housing. The chalk line terminates in a hook at one end and the hook is disposed outside of the housing. The housing may include a side wall with a depression formed therein that is shaped to receive the hook for storage. The depression has an edge that allows the hook to securely engage. The housing may also include a translucent window for allowing the user to check the level of chalk in the chalk line device. The translucent window forms at least a portion of a wall of the housing. The translucent window can be made, for example, of a plastic and can be integrally formed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Robert Scillia, Vincent Cook
  • Patent number: 6915588
    Abstract: A spirit level has a body member containing a leveling tube, in which the base of the body member has a width greater than the width of the body member in any other plane parallel with the base. Preferably the body member is triangular in cross section and may include three elongate wing or flange members extending radially from a central hub region. The body member may have axially-extending, for example telescopic, end members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Kelvin Richard Gay
  • Patent number: 6915589
    Abstract: Multiple sensors may be attached to a substrate to measure conditions at different points. Positioning the sensors accurately may be achieved using a template to establish sensor position. A pre-fabricated kit including a template, sensors and a cable assembly may be easily transported so that sensors may be attached in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: SensArray Corporation
    Inventors: Mei H. Sun, Richard Schwaninger, Wayne G. Renken
  • Patent number: 6915590
    Abstract: A tool for laying sequential courses of tiles on an inclined roof, or sidewall the tool including a rail and several arms sized to extend over a previous course of tiles and to position the rail to define a straight edge for the current or new tile course. The arms extend over the current course and their ends are nailed or otherwise secured to the roof or sidewall. After the course is laid, the rail is moved up for the next course. A kit is formed of one or more rails, sets of arms, each set being sized and/or hinged for a corresponding type of tile, and means of interconnecting and aligning the rails. Two rails may also be used to provide roofing on a roof having two sections joined by a valley. For this configuration, a curved, flexible connector is used which is formed of a rubber pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Chillington Tool Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James Chillington
  • Patent number: 6915591
    Abstract: A rotary movement converting mechanism for converting a rotary movement of a rotary body (43) into a linear movement of a movable body (2) has a support body (42) fixed to a body frame (3) and provided with a slit (42A) along an axial direction of the rotary body (43), a spiral groove (43A) formed on the inner circumference of the rotary body (43), and a top member (41) provided on the movable body (2). The top member (41) has an engaging member (41 A) inserted through the slit (42A) and having a tip end engaged with the spiral groove (43A), and a stop member (41C) for stopping the linear movement of the movable body (2) when a load is applied on the linear movement of the movable body (2). Accordingly, when a load is applied on the linear movement of the movable body (2), the linear movement is stopped and the minute displacement of the movable body (2) is restrained, thereby enhancing the stability of a measuring instrument in measuring a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Shuuji Hayashida, Yuji Fujikawa, Osamu Saito, Masamichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6915592
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating gas for a processing system is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating gas for a processing system includes an unitary, isolatable, transportable canister having a plurality of first spacing elements, a plurality of second spacing elements and a solid material disposed within the canister. The spacing elements have different mean diameters. The solid material is adapted to produce a gas vapor when exposed to a temperature above a predetermined level at a predetermined pressure. In another embodiment, an apparatus for generating gas includes a gas source coupled to a processing chamber by a first gas line. A canister is coupled in-line with the first gas line and contains a solid material that produces a process gas when heated. A heater is disposed between the gas source and the canister to heat gas flowing into the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf A. Guenther
  • Patent number: 6915593
    Abstract: A drying rack can be fixed in the drum of a tumble dryer to dispose items to be dried in a static manner. The items can be, for example, woolens or shoes that should not be rotated with the moving drum during the drying process. To prevent the items to be dried from coming into contact with the rotating drum, the drying rack includes an external casing, which seals the rack off from the periphery of the drum. An internal rack, in particular, including several levels, can be located inside the external casing. The items to be dried can be distributed on the levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ash Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Barbara GrĂ¼ble, Olaf Hoffmann, Harald MoschĂ¼tz, Hans-Werner Stahn, GĂ¼nter Steffens
  • Patent number: 6915594
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air cushion shoe with various kinds of air chambers capable of absorbing the shocks generated by the application of the weight of a wearer in a vertical direction and distributing the absorbed shocks in a horizontal direction. The air cushion shoe of this invention has an upper and a sole, including a group of air chambers protrudedly exposed on the bottom surface of the sole of the shoe, the group of air chambers having a single air chamber that is located on the heel portion of the sole and divided into a first single air chamber and a second single air chamber by means of a partition and having plural kinds of communicating air chambers that are located on the whole portion except the heel portion of the sole, wherein the single air chamber is separated from the plural kinds of communicating air chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignees: Busan Techno-Park
    Inventor: Chang Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 6915595
    Abstract: A resilient shoe sole having a less resilient outer layer and a more resilient inner layer, and retractable studs anchored in the inner, more resilient layer. The bottom surface of the sole has annular grooves formed around the tip portions of the studs to permit those portions to flex when pressure is applied to the bottom surface, as during walking on a hard surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Sidney Kastner
  • Patent number: 6915596
    Abstract: An article of footwear is disclosed that includes upper and a sole structure. The upper defines an interior void that is configured to receive the sole structure and a foot. A lower surface of the upper defines a plurality of apertures, and the sole structure includes a plurality of projections that extend through the apertures to form a ground-engaging surface. The projections are connected to a foot-supporting member that remains within the upper. A locking system is incorporated into the upper and sole structure to secure the sole structure to the upper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Grove, Eric P. Avar
  • Patent number: 6915597
    Abstract: A shoe, especially a sports shoe, has a sole (1) for receiving one or more cleats (5) by means of a molded body (2) which is arranged on the sole at an angle (?) of between 15° and 25°, preferably 18°, relative to the plane of the sole (S) and which has an opening (3) for receiving a securing device (4) which is located on the cleat. The cleat also has a recess which is complementary to the cross-section of the molded body. The molded body and the cleat are connected by placing the cleat onto the molded body and activating the securing device, so that the cleat is forcibly guided into the locking position or out into the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Puma Aktiengesellschaft Rudolf Dassler Sport
    Inventor: Roland Jungkind
  • Patent number: 6915598
    Abstract: An insole for use with footwear includes a first layer including a heel portion of a first thickness, a mid portion connected to a front section of the heel portion and having a substantially constant thickness which is much less than the first thickness, and having an upward curvature, an upper surface extending along the mid and heel portions and on which a person stands, and a lower surface extending along the mid and heel portions, the lower surface including a shallow recess in the mid portion, the first layer being made of a material of a first hardness; and a flexible and resilient, thin arch spring insert of a substantially constant thickness secured in the recess and following the curvature of the mid portion, the arch spring insert being made of a material of a second hardness which is greater than the first hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Schering-Plough Healthcare Products Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Grisoni, Philip Yang, Harold A. Howlett, Laura J. Crane
  • Patent number: 6915599
    Abstract: A method of controlling the movement of a work machine arm having a series of hydraulic cylinders operatively engaged with the work machine arm includes receiving a signal from an input device to change the position of the work machine arm and determining an extension amount of one or more of the series of hydraulic cylinders. The extension amount of one or more of the series of hydraulic cylinders is changed to effect the change in the position of the work machine arm. The changes in the extension amount of the one or more of the series of hydraulic cylinders are ordered based on a pre-selected priority of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Rob L. Lohnes, Roger D. Koch, Jeffrey S. Alig, Robert J. Price
  • Patent number: 6915600
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit of an excavating and slewing working vehicle of two pump system, wherein a directional control valve for slewing and a directional control valve for arm are tandem-connected to the upstream side and downstream side of the delivery oil passage of a second hydraulic pump, respectively, a directional control valve for bucket are connected to the delivery oil passage of a first hydraulic pump, and then a bleed switching valve connected, through a check valve between the directional control valve for slewing and the directional control valve for arm and switched to connect to or disconnect from a tank on the upstream side of the check valve and the directional control valve for slewing are operated interlockingly with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Kondou
  • Patent number: 6915601
    Abstract: An information displaying arrangement and method for items of soft-goods displaying in a stack, uses a band engaged around each item and spanning an edge of the item, and a tag having a pair of slots with the tag being threaded on the band which extends through the slots. The tag is at the edge of the item, so that the information printed on the tag is visible at the edge even with the item in a stack of such items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Victoria's Secret Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Davis, Donald Stewart
  • Patent number: 6915602
    Abstract: The combination of a soft-goods item of folded fabric adapted to be displayed in a stack, and labeling for each item, has at least one band engaged around the item, spanning at least one of the narrow edge surfaces of the item. A self-supporting tag has a pair of slots spaced from each other and defining a labeling information carrying portion therebetween, and a pair of straps extending along each slot. The tag is threaded on the band which extends through both of the slots, and the tag is positioned at the edge surface so that the labeling information carrying portion is visible at the edge surface in a stack of the such items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Victoria's Secret Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Davis, Donald Stawart
  • Patent number: 6915603
    Abstract: An edge protector (1) for protecting the edge of an article includes a pair of interconnected, non-parallel, first arms (2, 4) which, in use, do not contact any part of the article, and a pair of second arms (10, 12) for contacting or a least being situated adjacent the article in use, one of each of the second arms (10, 12) being connected to one of each of the first arms (2, 4) each first arm (2, 4) and the respective second arm (10, 12) may be arranged in non-parallel relations. Further, the edge protector (1) may be resiliently deformable to absorb the energy of an impact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: ITW Limited
    Inventor: Raymond Hunt
  • Patent number: 6915604
    Abstract: The present invention consists of an illuminated, musical display box having removable character elements mounted on pins and a removable scenic background, which character elements are capable of moving in a pleasing fashion about the rear wall of the device and/or on a lower platform of the device. The motion display box is substantially upright and narrow in configuration such that it can easily be installed onto the interior portion of a standard home window to be seen from the outside of the house during a given holiday season. The device may be provided with a speaker and an electronic tune generating chip embodied in a removable module or housing. Since the characters, background and music module may be easily and conveniently changed out by the user as the seasons change or the interior contents may be desired to be updated, one musical display box may be used through several holiday season changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Steve Haywood
  • Patent number: 6915605
    Abstract: A sign includes a main body having a first surface and a second surface and an overlay removably attachable to the first surface or the second surface of the main body, and at least two fasteners attached to the overlay for removably securing the overlay to the first surface or the second surface. Each fastener can pass through an oversized hole in the overlay and be movably secured to the overlay with a washer. Each washer spaces the overlay from the main body when the overlay is attached to the main body. The main body can include a plurality of hollow cells within the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Reflexite Corporation
    Inventor: Mark M. Lavoie
  • Patent number: 6915606
    Abstract: The invention concerns a bag for transporting flower bouquets or plants. It comprises a support for receiving the bouquet or the plant, forming the bottom of the bag, and two substantially parallel lateral portions comprising at least one cutout over at least one of the lateral portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventors: Nicole Lantier, Pierre Lantier
  • Patent number: 6915607
    Abstract: A transplanting system including both methods and specific types of transplant apparatus such as propagule transplant trays(3, 4, 5, 6) addresses the need for the use of a propagule punch machine (8) on a variety of adolescent tray configurations (9, 11, 12, e.g.) and the increased operational efficiency that such enhanced operational capability affords. The system may involve at least one areally continuous propagule tray (3, 4, 5, 6) that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of adolescent plant trays. Other embodiments of the invention disclose punch pins (59) for use in a plant punch machine transplanter that are user-detachable and differentially designed so that plant punch elements of a certain design may be installed as part of the machine to customize the transplant process for a given species and transplant modality. The invention also provides for a consultable collection (such as printed documents or an electronic database, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Tagawa Greenhouses, Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Tagawa, Kenneth K. Tagawa, Randall E. Tagawa, William A. Kluth, Fred Naylor Blackmore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6915608
    Abstract: A motorized operator for opening and closing a window sash relative to a window frame via an arm mechanism connected to the window frame and being adapted to be installed in a cavity defined in the window frame. The operator comprises a motor, a drive axle rotated by the motor, and first and second gears in meshed engagement. The first gear is mounted on the drive axle, while the second gear is mounted to the arm mechanism such that motorized rotation of the first gear rotatably drives the second gear thereby causing the arm mechanism to pivot for opening and closing the window sash. A manual operator is adapted to disengage the first and second gears from one another while becoming engaged to the second gear for manually rotating the second gear and so manually operate the arm mechanism. The manual operator comprises a handle and a manual actuator which includes a sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: André Labarre